Visiting Williamsburg, Virginia in December: Girls’ Getaway

I live in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., but I am ashamed to admit I haven't been to Williamsburg, Virginia, in well over a decade. Only 2.5 hours from the Nation's Capital, Williamsburg is a destination full of history, shopping, art, entertainment, and fantastic restaurants. I was glad to visit Williamsburg, Virginia in December for a girls' getaway.

My recap of visiting Williamsburg, Virginia in December is perfect for foodies, groups, couples, and those who wish to experience all that Williamsburg has to offer beyond and including its rich colonial history. We visited several restaurants, had a wine tasting, went shopping, and experienced some of the many holiday-themed free activities that take place in Williamsburg, Virginia, and neighboring Yorktown during the month of December.

Visiting Williamsburg, Virginia in December: Girls' Getaway

I was invited to visit Williamsburg, Virginia, for a December holiday girlfriend getaway with fellow midlife content creators Tonya Parker of The Real Chic Life, Robin LaMonte of Hello I'm 50ish, and Rhoda Vickers of Southern Hospitality. I know Tonya well; we traveled together to Palm Springs with Chico's, and to Florida for Chico's 35th anniversary and have met for lunch here in the D.C. area. I had yet to meet Rhonda and Rhoda, but we four all became fast friends.

Day 1 in Williamsburg: Checking in to Kingsmill Resort and Busch Gardens Christmas Town

The drive to Williamsburg from D.C. was easy and quite beautiful. We had reservations at Kingsmill Resort in one of its charming cottages on the James River. I checked in at the front desk, and it was a short drive to what would be my home away from home for the next four days.

The Kingsmill Resort cottages are fantastic and would be perfect for a small retreat, two families with kids, or a group getaway. On the main floor are two en suites, one with a king bed and one with two queens. Upstairs are two more en suites, each with a queen bed. Three of the rooms that face the James River have private balconies, as does the common area, which has a modern kitchen, dining area, and light-filled living room with a fireplace.

Booking a cottage provides full access to all Kingsmill Resort amenities: two championship golf courses, on-site dining choices, spa, tennis club, marina activities, pools, and more. Though we were visiting in the winter, Kingsmill had plenty to do and was beautifully decorated for the holidays.

Once the four of us arrived and got unpacked, we headed to dinner at the restaurant Cochon on 2nd. A chef-driven restaurant in Williamsburg, Cochon on 2nd is a foodie's dream. The kitchen is visible from the cozy dining room, the staff is knowledgeable in wine and finding you the perfect pairings, and the food was creative yet familiar and quite delicious. This would be an excellent choice for a date night or a relaxing end to a day of sightseeing.

After dinner, we headed to Busch Gardens, which is right next to Kingsmill Resort. While Busch Gardens is an awesome amusement park in the warmer months, this time of year, it becomes Christmas Town, and it is an event not to miss.

Celebrating its 15th year, Busch Gardens Christmas Town transforms the park with over ten million twinkling lights, one of the largest light displays in North America. In addition to the awe-inspiring light display (I was in heaven, all the color!), many rides and coasters are open, holiday-themed shows take place, and there are plenty of festive treats, photo ops, and holiday shopping for the whole family.

Travel Tips:

December in Williamsburg, Virginia, can be 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or it can be below 0. Windchill can also make a big impact. Bring a long coat to keep you protected and plenty of winter accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves so you can customize your warmth needs based on the day.

Also, consider bringing some snacks for your time at the Kingsmill Resort cottage. Even if you don't plan on cooking in the kitchen, it's nice to have an iced coffee, cup of chamomile tea, glass of wine, or a bowl of microwave popcorn to enjoy. Some of the en suites come with their own mini-fridge so you can have your treats without having to leave your room!

Day 2 in Williamsburg: Experiencing Colonial Williamsburg

The day was sunny, and we got an early start by grabbing fresh pastries, bagel sandwiches, and coffee at the iconic Bake Shop. This is a must-visit, especially if you want a delicious yet quick meal on your way to see the sights.

The first sights we saw were at The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, which is right in downtown Williamsburg, within walking distance to almost everything. Newly expanded and updated, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg contains historic furniture, folk art, and more, with free tours by knowledgeable and passionate docents. My favorite was the fashion exhibit, showcasing original fashion worn in Williamsburg over the centuries.

Since the museum is close to everything, we kept our car in the lot across the street and walked to Blue Talon Bistro for lunch. Chef Everett has created a fabulous menu incorporating French bistro classics with American favorites in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. We didn't feel rushed, and all loved our lunch choices.

After lunch, we walked to Colonial Williamsburg, where we got tickets for a guided tour of building exteriors and streets decorated for the holidays. It was very cool to learn how they decorated in colonial times and how Colonial Williamsburg incorporates the same practices for its decoration competition today.

After the tour, we enjoyed Colonial Williamsburg in the winter sunshine. We visited various shops, the James Geddy House, and the gardens where costumed interpreters shared the lives of the 18th-century Williamsburg population and their experience as the American Revolution unfolded and the United States was born.

We were thrilled to be visiting Williamsburg, Virginia, on the day of the annual Community Christmas Tree Lighting. A free event open to all, the festivities started at 5 pm on the Courthouse steps where a local chorus sang carols, the Fife and Drum Corps performed, local high school students read The Night Before Christmas, and an entertaining performance by Punch and Judy. At the end, we all cheered as the 40-foot spruce tree lit up with over 7,500 twinkling lights.

After a long day of walking and experiencing history, we headed to Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant for a comforting dinner. Locally owned, visiting Giuseppe's is like visiting the dining room of an Italian relative. The food was so delicious, the staff so friendly, many of the other patrons were well-known regulars. A very welcoming, comforting experience; I would totally visit Giuseppe's again on my next trip to Williamsburg!

That evening, I bathed in the massive tub in my en suite, wrapped up in the fluffy Kingsmill Resort robe, and enjoyed a cup of tea on the balcony of my room, listening to the James River. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful day.

Travel Tips:

Consider packing a travel-size container of bath salts or a bath bomb. A warm, luxurious bath after a long day of walking on a sunny, yet still cold December day is a decadent treat!

Even though it's December in Williamsburg, there is still going to be plenty of sun. Bring sunglasses, as well as SPF to protect any exposed skin. Yes, you can still get sunburn in freezing temps!

Day 3 in Williamsburg: Shopping and Wine Tasting

After an action-packed Day 2, we decided to have a more relaxed day in Williamsburg. Relaxed didn't mean boring as we had so much fun! We started the day with a leisurely brunch at Culture Cafe. Oh my gosh, this restaurant is so cool! The art! The menu! The staff! The furniture! This is a great place to enjoy a book and cup of coffee or a chatty meal with a group of friends. Culture Cafe is also kid-friendly and vegan-friendly and has great pastries.

After brunch, we headed to the Williamsburg Christmas Market, which was set up right next to the museum we visited the day before. Again, it's super convenient and within walking distance of almost everything.

It costs $5 to enter the Williamsburg Christmas Market (18 and under are free), but it's worth it. Not only does that $5 provide you with a ticket to re-enter as often as you like all season long, but you also get access to the train ride, petting zoo, photos with Santa, fire pits, over 40 craft vendor chalets, gluhwein (warm spiced wine), and delicious market food.

After finding fabulous ornaments, wreaths, jewelry, and other crafts at the Williamsburg Christmas Market, we walked to Merchants Square. Designed like an historic town center, Merchants Square is home to over 40 shops and restaurants and a great place to grab a bite, a glass, and shop for a broad range of things.

We stopped in Monkee's, a must-visit for fellow fashionistas. It's a beautifully curated boutique with fun fashion, accessories, and gifts. I was thrilled to see that Monkee's of Williamsburg carries fashion up to size 2X, has an extensive selection of bags, jewelry, and other accessories, and has a very friendly, welcoming staff.

We shopped until we were about to drop and decided to visit the Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room and Wine Bar in Merchants Square. The Williamsburg Winery is a short drive from Colonial Williamsburg and a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Still, the tasting room and wine bar is a convenient alternative to try the wines. We each had a wine fight and some snacks and had a chance to relax and revive ourselves.

After some more shopping, we returned to the cottage to freshen up as we had dinner reservations at Fat Canary. Fat Canary is the iconic AAA Four-Diamond award-winning family-owned restaurant in Merchants Square.

Serving upscale American fare and an extensive wine list (the Fat Canary is connected to the famous Cheese Shop of Williamsburg), we had a delicious and elegant meal, toasting new friendships and a wonderful girlfriend getaway in Williamsburg, Virginia.

After dinner, we took a short drive to historic Yorktown for its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. The Fifes and Drums of York town proceeded to the Riverwalk Landing, where we saw them perform with a crowd of locals and tourists before the lighting of the 24-foot Tannenbaum tower tree.

We then headed into the Yorktown Visitors Center to write thank-you holiday cards to first responders and deployed troops while kids enjoyed a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The whole experience was utterly charming, and I'm so glad we were able to attend while on our trip!

Travel Tips:

Again, a tip regarding the weather when visiting Williamsburg, Virginia, in December. Along with comfortable walking shoes, consider a pair of insulated insoles to keep your feet both comfortable and warm. I also was so glad to have this small phone charger to maintain battery even though I took a lot of photos and video!

Day 4 in Williamsburg: Goodbye Brunch

The four of us packed up and checked out of our adorable cottage at Kingsmill Resort and then headed to Hohl, a restaurant and bakery with an inventive (and quite delicious) breakfast menu and an extensive coffee selection. Hohl is airy and light-filled, and we didn't want to leave.

Over breakfast, we shared photos and our contact information, planning to do another girls' getaway together. We had so much fun exploring Williamsburg together that we'd love to come back in the Spring. Williamsburg, Virginia, is awesome to visit any time of the year, as there are so many activities, places to go, things to see, and amazing restaurants we have yet to experience.

Travel Tips:

Sadly, it was time to hug one another goodbye and return to our respective homes. The drive was smooth. I listened to my audiobook and thought about how fun it would be to return to Williamsburg with my family or plan a romantic getaway with my husband. There is so much to experience in Williamsburg, Virginia, for all types of folk and situations.

Consider packing a couple of extra hangers. While the Kingsmill Resort cottages have plenty of clothing storage, I was glad to have extra hangers to keep all my clothes wrinkle-free and ready.

If you're taking your car to Williamsburg, Virginia, consider tossing in a throw blanket. It's nice to cuddle up in it in front of the cottage's fireplace or on the back porch while enjoying the sunrise and/or the sunset.

Thank you to Visit Williamsburg for hosting this holiday girls' getaway. It was a lot of fun, informative, and quite delicious, too! I had a great time and am happy to answer any questions you may have about visiting Williamsburg and any of the activities or destinations on our trip!